A few days ago, Ash-Shaykh Dr. Falaah ibn Ismaeelhafidhahullaah was asked the question, "O Shaykh how about the one who declares the disbelief of [url=http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=16&Topic=10417]Gaddafi[/url] and he uses as proof (for his takfeer) the fatawa of some of the Scholars?"

The Shaykh replied, "By Allaah O Shaykh I don't know of this...even if (for example) they did declare his disbelief, the revolting against the disbelieving ruler has conditions...(from them are) that we are safe from the harms (of revolting) and that no harm is done as a result of revolting against him, and we have the ability, power and the possibility (to do so), and all of this isn't present!"

Please read pg. 10 of the pdf found here for the proofs that [url=http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=9412]Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan[/url] (hafidhahullaah) has given regarding the conditions for fighting against a ruler whose Kufr is Kufr Bawah. Also see the Q. 12 on that page where the Shaykh replies to a question regarding the meaning of quwwah (power) that is needed to fight such a ruler.

This entire pdf entitled "Questions and Answers Concerning Muslim Unity" is very beneficial - may Allaah reward and aid the brothers at Troid.

Allaamah Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee was asked, "Is it obligatory to be obedient to the rulers who don't rule by the rule of Allaah? Is it permissible to give allegiance to them? What is your advice to the young Muslims in other Arab and Muslim lands (other than Saudi Arabia) that might rule by other laws (i.e. secular laws)?"

For the excellent naseeha of the Shaykh (Arabic-English) please download the mp3 found [url=http://troid.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=311&Itemid=325]here[/url] and listen from the time 1:15:00.

Muftee Ibn Baaz(raheemahullaah) said [1], "...rebelling against those in authority results in great corruption and evil. The exception is when the Muslims see clear Kufr, for which there is proof from Allah. In this case, there is nothing wrong in rebelling against these rulers to depose them, if they have the power to do so. However, if this is beyond their ability, they should not rebel. Also, if rebelling would result in worse evil, they should not do so to preserve the public interest.

The agreed-upon Shar'y (Islamic legal) rule states: (It is not permissible to remove an evil by a greater evil. Rather, it is obligatory to ward off evil by what removes or mitigates it). Warding off evil by means of a greater evil is not permitted, according to Ijma' (consensus) of Muslims. If this group, which wants to remove this ruler, who is openly committing Kufr, has the ability to do so and they can bring a good righteous leader in his place, without this resulting in great corruption for the Muslims or a worse evil than the already existing, that is permissible. On the other hand, if rebellion would result in greater corruption, chaos, oppression, and the assassination of those who do not deserve to be assassinated, and other forms of major corruption, it is not permitted. It is obligatory, in this case, to be patient, and to hear and obey in what is Ma'ruf, offer sincere advice to the authorities, supplicate for them that they may be guided to the good, and to strive to reduce evil and increase good. This is the correct way that must be followed, because this is in the general interest of the Muslims and because it will reduce evil, increase good, keep the peace, and protect the Muslims from a greater evil."

The Shaykh also said

quote:

"Even when seeing the ruler committing absolute Kufr, subjects should advise this ruler to desist. It is not permissible to rebel against him if revolution leads to greater harm because evil cannot be removed by what is more evil as stated by scholars, may Allah have mercy on them, such as Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and the noted scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim."[2]

In another fatwa the Shaykh advised

quote:

"The issue of rebelling against the ruler needs to be reconsidered for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Unless you noticed him having open Kufr for which you would have a proof with us from Allah."(Saheeh al-Bukhaaree) Yet, this may not be done unless there is a strong Ummah that can remove the wrongdoing ruler. Consequently, it is not permissible for individuals and masses who do mischief in the land but not reformation to rebel against the ruler as this harms people and does not avail them."[3]

When asked similar questions repeatedly the Shaykh replied, "I informed you before that it is not permissible to rebel against the ruler, except under two conditions:

1. Blatant Kufr for which they(those who want to revolt) have a proof from Allah. 2. The power to depose the ruler without an evil worse than that of the ruler resulting.

In the absence of these conditions, it is not permissible."[4]

[url=http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=9388]al-Faqeeh Ibn Uthaymeen[/url](raheemahullaah) said, "Even if we were to assume the extreme - that a leader is a disbeliever, does this then mean we can incite the people to oppose him, even if it causes revolt, chaos, and killing? This is definitely wrong. The kind of rectification and improvement desired will never come by this approach. Rather, the only thing it will bring is great corruption because if, for example, a group of people rise up in opposition to the leaders of some country and those leaders have strength and authority that the opposing insurgents do not have, what will happen? Will this insignificant minority prevail? It will not. On the contrary, the opposite will happen. Evil and anarchy will result and the public affairs will be in complete disorder. It is essential that an individual looks first from the Islamic legislative point of view and not just blindly look at the texts (of the Quran or sunnah) from a single perspective. We should consider all the texts together.

A person should also look at the situation with the eye of intellect and wisdom. What will come about from this thing? So, we believe these ways of rectification (criticizing the leaders, rebellion, etc.) to be wrong and very dangerous. It is not permissible for anyone to support or assist someone in such things. One must instead clearly reject these methods. We don't speak directly against the government, but we speak in general terms."[5]

[url=http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=6340]Allaamah an-Najmee[/url](raheemahullaah) said, "...and there are other proofs that establish the obligation of hearing and obeying those in authority if they are Muslims, and that it is not permissible to rebel against the Imaam (leader) as long as he establishis the prayer unless the one who wanted to rebel found open Kufr for which he would have a proof with him from Allaah. Then it is likewise not befitting to rebel unless the Muslims had the strength that gave them the ability to fight with the leader. This is the 'aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah."[6]

[url=http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=8251]Muhaddith al-Albaanee[/url](raheemahullaah) said, "I have said and I continue to say to those who constantly make Takfīr of the Muslim rulers: Let us suppose the disbelief of these rulers is in fact the disbelief of apostasy. And suppose there was a ruler who was above them it would then be obligatory in this situation on that higher ruler to implement the Islamic punishment (of apostasy) on them (the lower leaders).[7]

The Shaykh further continued,[8] "We know that the firmly-established reality which is neglected or, more accurately, purposely neglected is that those extremists have nothing (of evidence) except their public assertion of Takfīr against the rulers and nothing else. And they continue to proclaim Takfīr of the rulers when nothing stems from it except discord and strife.

The calamities in these past few years have occurred by the hands of these people, beginning with the discord of the sacred mosque in Mecca to the dissension in Egypt and the killing of Sadat. Now in Syria and in Egypt and Algeria, everyone witnesses the shedding of blood of many innocent Muslims because of these evils and tribulations and the many resulting calamities. All of this because they opposed many texts from the Book and the Sunnah, the most important of which is:

Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day and remembers Allâh much.

If we really want to establish the rule of Allah on earth in reality and not just by claim, then do we start by making Takfīr of the rulers while it is not possible for us to confront them, let alone fight them? Or do we start with the same obligation the messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) started with? No doubt, the answer is:

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ Certainly, in the messenger of Allah, you have a good example to follow. [Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, 33:21]

But what did the Allah's messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) begin with?

It is known with certainty to anyone who has even smelled the fragrance of knowledge that he began with the call and propagation among individuals whom he thought were ready to accept the truth.

Also, please check the following links:-

[url=http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=26&Topic=5806]Rebelling against the Unjust Muslim Ruler is not allowed[/url]

[url=http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=26&Topic=8458]Misconception: Obedience is valid only to the Greater Imaam(One Khalifah of entire Ummah)[/url]

[url=http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=9&Topic=6807]How Do we Understand the Actions of some of the Salaf in Advising the Ruler Publicly?[/url]